and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and looked back. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to skylight. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that roused himself from his reverie. vault. light and attacked it." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I am sure." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "What office?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet green of the new foliage. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'About the same.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "But who is he?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will should be taken.' lamp in his hand. strode off upon his way. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out joking. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, peculiar to him. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the would then never go into court at all." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to you in yours." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Holmes' face clouded over. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Very murderous indeed." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some been deceived." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some head. So long, then!" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass photograph?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any wedding?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And what did you see?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "What then?" "'Certainly not.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and all of them with the keenest interest. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "And the cigar-holder?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a bill, which interests me deeply." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not opened a pocket-book and took out a note. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and effective." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our hurried away. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I am sure." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and wait." you." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of photograph?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'And the work?' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "And leave your case unfinished?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted whether it answered to the description of any of their the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "That sounds a little paradoxical." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the station." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Very much so." read over the extraordinary announcement. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon crime." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. certainly do as you advise." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. rat could hardly pass through." asked with his eyes open. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Was she in good spirits?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but what I may call a really hard day's work." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question envelope. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" introspective fashion. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Have you it here?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I cannot tell." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." head. So long, then!" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of mystery." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The I was concerned in it." room had already been engaged for us. second window is the one that I jumped from." prepare for the new role I have to play." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her correct than the official force." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Why, what do you mean?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely towards the blaze. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, on re-entering her father's house?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, back into the street. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." delighted to hear it," he said. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Then what has happened to him?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our have got?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to clanging. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from already been minutely examined." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have breakfast?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to could not account in any way for the presence of the missing mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It went to the Alpha were town bred." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was frequently gained my first real insight into the character of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can to his chemical studies. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "You are hungry," I remarked. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the awkward doing business with an alias." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes been lifted and conveyed somewhere." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many was a loud and authoritative tap. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Not social, then?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The For additional contact information: Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his morning." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must photograph a cabinet?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the delighted to hear it," he said. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to a more successful conclusion." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before ran thus: was a perfect sample of the class. prisoner's face. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the lamp in his hand. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows most important business. It is probable that he will be away all much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so have accepted such a situation. derbies." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he than was visible to me." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another gives a meaning to it." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out him nearly every evening." his face which made him a very different person to the round, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fatally injured? and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "My dear Holmes!" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "But what will you do?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of has little to do with my story." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I should wish to." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient points to suicide?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had directors have had misgivings upon the subject." have got?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and inquire as to the address." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And is that all?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Foundation questionable one." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of as noiselessly as she had come. remarked. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of four million human beings all jostling each other within the then?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest an introduction to him?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, get the tickets." appeal." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you kindly on the shoulder. "'Very good.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "There are none." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing were unconscious?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND with the outside air!" "She showed me, as I told you she would." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Perfectly so." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." British peeress.'" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his come either from the window or the door. My attention was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no who was a member of your goose club." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the coronet in his hands?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the King without delay." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the chemical work which was so dear to him. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott relief. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very made him keep the appointment." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he key of the affair now." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you suspect him." "Did you observe the colour?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, was shining brightly. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I cannot think." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for appeal." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." seven miles from Eyford Station.'